Hinged-plate-carrier etching machine



Sept. 16, 1939. I F. T. POWERS HINGED PLATE CARIER ETCHING MACHINE Filed March 9, 1928 \NVENTOR Patented Sept. 16,1930

UNITED STATES FRANK T. POWERS, F DOUGLASTON, NEW YORK HINGED-PLATE-CARRIER E'ronine MACHINE Application filed March 9,

cuts, and more particularly to that type of etching machine in which the etching fluid is projected against the plate to be etched by means of a rotating sprayer, one example of which is the Axel Holstrom etching machine. One object of my invention is to provide a means for inserting the plate to be etched in the tank oretching chamber of the etching machine and for withdrawing the plate from said chamber without the operator having to expose his hands to the acid fumes within the etching chamber.

A second object of my invent-ion is to provide a convenient and quickly operable means for moving the plate being etched from its position within the etching chamber to such a position outside the etching chamber as is convenient for the operator to carefully and minutely examine the plate at intervals during the etching process.

These objects, and others which will be apparent to one skilled in the art and accustomed to the use of etching machines of the sort described, are attained in my new machine, oneform of which is shown by way of example in the accompanying drawings.

In these drawings like characters refer to like or similar parts in each of the several views.

Figure 1 is a section in a vertical plane through a machine embodying my invention, and showing the plate in position for etching. Figure 2 is a section in the same verti- I cal plane showing the plate in position for examination. Figure 3 is horizontal section through one end of the machine. Figures 4 and 5 show variations in the location of the hinge or pivot about which the end portion of the machine rotates.

Within the tank or etching chamber, 1, is 'mounted a rotatable spray-making wheel, 2, each vane of which picks up the etching'fiuid during a part of each revolution and during the balance of the revolution projects the fluid against the interior surfaces of the 1928. Serial No. 260,459.

chamber. A. portion of the etching fluid strikes against the surface of the plate, 3, which is being etched. The top of the'etching chamber is partly closed by a stationary cover, 4, and the remainder of the top is covered by a slidable cover, 5. The parts or elements so far referred to are common to etching machines of this type now in general use.

My improvement consists of the following parts. Oneend of the etching chamberfl, which is opposite the rotatable sprayer, 2, and against which the plate to be etched is usually placed, I construct in two'parts and I provide a pivot or hinge, 6, or other suitable articulated joint, so that the upper portion, 7 of that end of the chamber may be turned, outwardly and downwardly about said hinge or joint'to bring said upper portion, 7, of the wall into a substantially horizontal position as shown'in Figure 2. Along the lower edge of the hinged portion, 7, is attached a ledge or bracket, 8, to receive and support the plate to be etched. 'A' holder or clip, 9, working in a slot, 10, provides means for holding the plate in position on the bracket, 8, so that when the hinged portion, 7, ismoved from a horizontal to a vertical position and brought quickly to rest in the vertical. position, the plate will notfallover into the etching chamber. On all edges of thefhinged portion, 7, are provided tongues, 11, which fit into corresponding grooves, 12, in the main body of the etching chamber to prevent the escape of the spray of etching fluid. A detail of thesetongues and grooves is shown in Figure 3, which is a section in a horizontal plane of one corner of the etching chamber where the moveable portion, 7, closesagainst the sides of the-etching chamber. The stop, 13, is providedto support the hinged portion, 2, when it is in it's horizontal position. A tray, 14, may for convenience, be provided to catch any drippings of etching fluid which may drop from the plate when under examination.

It is obvious that the pivotal point or hinge, 6, about which the moveable end, 7, revolves, may bepositioned either at the lower portion of end,7, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, or at its middle portion, as shown in Figure 5, or at its top, as shown in Figure 4, or at any other point. If the pivot, 6, were positioned at or near the middle of end, 7, then when end, 7, is rotated about said pivot, the lower portion of end, 7, would move into the etching chamber while the upper portion would move outwardly from the etching chamber. If the pivot, (5, were positioned at or near the top of end, 7, then rotation of the end, 7, about the pivot would cause the end, 7, to move into the etching chamber, and when brought to a horizontal position the end, 7, would occupy a position at the top of the etching chamber in a convenient position for examination.

In describing the operation of my invention I will confine myself chiefly to those )ortions of the etching machine which emlaody my invention since the operation of the etching machine itself is too well known by those skilled in the art to require minute description. The plate to be etched, 3, is laid, face upward, upon the hinged portion, 7, with said hinged portion in a nearly horizontal position as shown in Figure 2. The clip, 9, is positioned adjacent to the edge of the plate. The hinged portion bearing the plate is turned up into its vertical position as shown in Figure 1 and the etching process is carried on. At the conclusion of the etching or when the operator desires to eX- amine the progress of the etching, the paddle wheel is stopped and the plate is brought into a horizontal position and in a coiwenient location for careful and minute observation by the operator. While in this position any etching fluid which may drain off the plate or from the hinged portion, 7, will be caught in the tray, 14. If the operator desires to wash off the plate by flooding it with water, as is often done, the washing may take place with the plate in its horizontal position over the tray, lat, without having to remove the plate from its position. By this means all contact of the operators hands with the acid fumes and vapors within the etching chamber is avoided and it is not necessary at any time during the etching process for the operator to puthis hand within the etching chamber. The time saving element is also an advantage. The operator does not have to take the time to put on rubber gloves as is the custom with etching machines of this type as commonly constructed. A simple, single movement of the hinged portion, 7, brings the plate from its etching position within the chamber to a position most convenient for examination or washing or removal of the plate.

I claim:

1. A machine for etching photo-mechanical printing plates comprising in combination an etching chamber, a rotatable spray producing member, a pivoted support for the plate l to be etched, said support forming a portion of one vertical side of said etching cham' ber substantially as described.

2. In an etching machine of the type described for photo-mechanical printing plates, a holder for the plate to be etched which forms one vertical side of the etching chamber when the plate is in posit-ion for etching and which is moveable to position the plate for examination.

3. In an etching machine of the type described, an etching chamber having one of it vertical sides adapted to support a plate to be etched and moveable into a substantially horizontal position.

4. In an etching machine of the type described, means for supporting the object to be etched, substantially as described, said supporting means forming a portion of one of the vertical sides of the etching chamber, pivotally mounted to permit rotation to asubstantially horizontal position.

Signed at Douglaston, in the county of Queens, city and State of New York, this 5th day of March, A. D. 1928.

FRANK T. POWERS. 

